Research
As already indicated, the dearth of empirical data to support lobbying
and advocacy strategies for law and policy reform was one of the reasons
that led to the formation of the centre and consequently, research on
topical issues is one of the key activities of the centre.
Recently, the Centre has completed an extensive nationwide research on
Violence Against Women. The research looked not only at domestic violence
but other forms of violence such as sexual harassment, rape and other
harmful traditional practices. This research was done with eight NGO partners
whose members were trained to carry out the survey. Research findings
have resulted in a number of very interesting activities, including sensitization
work with the police and the setting up of a rural response system in
three pilot communities in the country
The Centre also carried out a national survey on the prevalence and the social-economic factors affecting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Even though the practice of FGM is carried out mainly by the ethnic groups of the three northern regions of the country, it was believed that migratory patterns to the south of the country may have spread the practice, hence the need for the survey.